Exciting Announcements

We have a few totally awesome things to announce...here is a quick rundown:

1. Nope - not pregnant.
2. Nope - not lotto winners...even better than that...
3. WE ARE MOVING!  As of April 8th, we will be the proud lessees of a gorgeous home in an equally beautiful neighborhood in Evans, Georgia.  Be on the lookout for our "We've Moved!" announcements coming in the mail :-D  This afternoon I plan on getting comfy with picnik and creating our new blog header with the picture of the new house...stay tuned for a house tour by mid-April or so.
4.  Pre-moving we are going on a Disney Cruise!  Of course I'm pretty sure I already mentioned this in a past post...but we are in crazy packing/planning mode right now and so it seems to be top of mind these days.
5. Vera no longer wakes up 3 times each night and has gotten it down to...drumroll please...ONCE each morning!  She sleeps from 8p-4a, wakes up, then goes back down from 4:30a-7:30a.  This.  Is.  Awesome.  Now I just need to start going to bed BEFORE 11:30pm each evening...
6. I have become a total baking fanatic.  My next project is to create some chocolate covered strawberry cupcakes to ship to Sam at law school, but after that I will be creating a 1-tier, 4-layer cake covered in a thin layer of buttercream followed by some rolled fondant.  I have no idea what flavor(s) I will be creating, so if you have a suggestion - LEAVE IT IN A COMMENT PLEEEEEASE!

P.S.  Yes - this house is still infested with massive, gross flies.  I'll update this later in the week after they (probably) set off some ridiculous fogger/bug bomb.

Messy House? I Have You Beat.

In hindsight, I should have actually snapped a few pictures of the catastrophe I am about to describe, but alas, it just WASN'T on my top priority list.  Today I decided to make cupcakes...again.  After choosing a very random Pinterest recipe for Brown Butter cupcakes and yet another random Pinterest recipe for cinnamon buttercream, I set out to create my masterpiece.

I'm a fairly neat baker/cooker/whatnot.  I like to keep a de-cluttered workspace and don't want to have to think about doing a ton of dishes afterward, so I pretty much rinse and put bowls/dishes/utensils in the dishwasher as I go along.  That said, the kitchen looked pretty good even after creating the batter, scooping it and putting it into muffin tins, and even after creating the buttercream frosting.

That was until I decided to do my ever so awesome (but ever so DANGEROUS, as I now know) trick that I learned from...wait for it...wait for it...Pinterest.  You take a piece of plastic wrap and place it on the counter, then take some frosting and plop it in the middle of the plastic with a spatula.  Wrap the frosting in the plastic wrap and then ...hmmm...kindof spin it.  Got the picture?  Yeah.  Well I had done it twice before today, so being a pro, I spun that thing until it begged for mercy.  And then it broke.

Buttercream shot everywhere - straight up into the air, going into my eye and then going further and splattering all over the ceiling and light fixture.  As if that wasn't bad enough, the trajectory of this thing was literally every possible direction...a full 360 degrees...going around at least 3 times with the hole in the plastic wrap.  I found frosting down my shirt, on my socks, on my desk, all over my swivel chair (seat, legs, casters, you name it), and I don't think I'll ever be able to NOT slide down on the tile floor ever again.  The worst part was that it simply refused to come off the ceiling.  I mean why don't you try to scrape this stuff off a trashy popcorn ceiling.  Yeah.  That's when Jake and I did the only thing left to do...we sprayed some seriously toxic white ceiling paint all over it...

I fully intend on spraying MORE ceiling paint over the buttercream later when the oil seeps out of it and forms rings in the popcorn...yeah.  I'm that person.  Well, not really.  I started out as this truly awesome renter - one who is all too eager to make permanent improvements to property that isn't even theirs...but so many things have happened since then...and currently I am sitting on the couch listening to the buzzing of at least 6 massive flies from our infestation that has been present for 3 weeks.  So one could say I am not very motivated at this point.

ANYWAY.  Here are a few pictures...of the cupcakes...not the mess.

Safe

I have wanted to write about this most recent procedure roughly a bazillion times since having it done at the beginning of last month, but clearly I have not been on the ball.  It is a vastly long story, one that I don't have the effort to actually type at the moment, but I will mention one part of it that sticks in my memory specifically.

The anesthesiologist had already given me some Versed and at this point *most* people can no longer remember what went on after that point, but not I.  I can almost always tell you what was going on in the OR as they fumble around just before giving the sedative (Propofol for this procedure).

It is always nerve-wracking for me in the OR.  There are tons of people there...just standing there...watching you.  It's really great.  And pair that with these people looking like they are about to enter some kind of biohazard zone with their x-ray protection gear on...yeah, it is awesome.

Anyway, as they wheeled me in to the room I immediately hear music.  It is faint, but definitely there.

You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He makes: He will be with you always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms

...and I was.

Sometimes I Wish...

...I could go back, even just for a few minutes, to my time in youth symphony...of course that seems so odd coming from me.  I always despised middle and most of high school...but there is something about NOT being involved in an orchestra now that bothers me...quite a bit.  I guess this is a driving force that Jake and I have to get back to Nashville and to our church.  Brentwood's orchestra performs nearly every Sunday at all services and I miss it.

Here is a favorite from Jake and I's time in youth symphony...Nimrod by Elgar (from the Enigma Variations).

Lord...errr Lady of the Flies

Well over the past week or so we have been noticing these pesky, massive, slow moving flies in our house on the first floor.  At first I didn't think much about them...then I thought perhaps Cole was leaving the back screen door open more than usual...but then yesterday I came in after bible study and was greeted by what seemed like a bazillion of them.  At that point I knew something was really wrong.

We let the property management company know what was going on and they had a chimney sweep call to schedule us.  The theory was that it was a dead animal in the chimney...of course the chimney guys just left and sadly, no animal carcass was found.  I would say my fly count is probably up to around 75.  How do I know this?  Because I have been killing and then collecting them in a massive ziploc bag for my pest control guy.  Sick.

Now the hypothesis is that there is a dead animal in the HVAC system...or near the intake valve...and the flies are getting into the house that way.  Another option is a dead animal in the crawl space under the house.  Basically SOMETHING is rotting away in or under or around our house and we have no idea what or where it is.  NICE.

This is pretty much cramping my style because, in addition to cleaning all day to sanitize all the surfaces they have landed on, I don't feel like I should cook in this house.  If we can't figure out where they are coming from by this weekend, I am moving out.  Stat.

Our lease is up April 30th and I have never been so ecstatic to move.

Updated Recipe: Raspberry Limeade Cupcakes

Well I *finally* tried out my cupcake recipe last night...errr...from 8-11pm!  Making all three components from scratch is definitely not for the faint of heart, but I think it was worth it.  Here are a few pictures and a slightly edited/updated recipe...

Raspberry Limeade Cupcakes

A fun, refreshing take on cupcakes using the classic taste of limeade and adding fresh raspberries. (Adapted from Babble.com's Lemonade Cupcakes with Fresh Raspberry Frosting)

Ingredients

Limeade Cupcakes
*1 c. unsalted butter (room temperature)
*2 c. sugar
*4 eggs (room temperature)
*1 tsp. vanilla
*3 cups all-purpose flour
*2 tsp. baking powder
*1/2 tsp. salt
*grated zest and juice of 2 limes
*1 c. milk (divided)

Key Lime Curd Filling
*1/2 c. bottled key lime juice
*1/2 c. sugar
*5 large egg yolks
*1-1/2 tbsp. unsalted butter (cut into smal pieces)

Fresh Raspberry Frosting
*1 c. fresh raspberries (or thawed from frozen)
*1 c. unsalted butter (room temperature)
*3 c. powdered sugar

Preparation

Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350 F and line 24 muffin tins with paper liners.

In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar and lime zest with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.

In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to the butter mixture a third at a time, alternating with half the milk and half the lime juice after each of the first 2 additions of flour. Beat until just combined. Fill the prepared tins 2/3 full using an ice cream scoop or large melon baller and bake for 18-22 minutes.

Filling
Combine key lime juice, sugar, and egg yolks in a medium, heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, for about 10 minutes or until thick (be sure it *actually* thickens!) Remove from heat and add butter, stirring with a whisk until butter melts.

Place pan in a large, ice-filled bowl for 20 minutes or until lime curd comes to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Cover and chill another 15-20 minutes in the freezer to fully set.

After cupcakes have cooled completely, use a melon baller to remove the center of each cupcake. Fill each center with key lime curd filling.

Frosting
In the bowl of a food processor, puree the raspberries until smooth. If you like, press the mixture through a sieve to get rid of the seeds.

In a medium bowl, beat the butter and half the sugar until smooth. Add the raspberry puree, then more sugar until you have a fluffy, spreadable consistency. Add a splash of water, too (a tablespoon or two) if it needs it.

Frost cupcakes using a piping bag, and finish off with a sprinkle of colored sugar. Makes 2 dozen cupcakes.

Freshly baked lime cupcakes (ignore the hideous ones)

Centers taken out in preparation for filling

Filled with key lime curd (be sure to cook this until it REALLY thickens, I didn't and ended up with some pretty runny, but still very yummy lime curd)

Finished product after frosting & sugar (ignore the hideous frosting job)

Raspberry Limeade Cupcake

Ideally the inside would have a slightly thicker texture, but bear with me as this picture was taken after 11pm.

A New Recipe: Raspberry Limeade Cupcakes

I *finally* opened the box for the food processor that I received as a Christmas present and I think I have finally crafted the first, perfect recipe where I can try it out...

Raspberry Limeade Cupcakes*

A fun, refreshing take on cupcakes using the classic taste of limeade and adding fresh raspberries. (Adapted from Babble.com's Lemonade Cupcakes with Fresh Raspberry Frosting)

Ingredients

Limeade Cupcakes
*1 c. unsalted butter (room temperature)
*2 c. sugar
*4 eggs
*1 tsp. vanilla
*3 cups all-purpose flour
*2 tsp. baking powder
*1/2 tsp. salt
*grated zest and juice of 2 limes
*1 c. milk (divided)
*key lime curd filling (store bought -or- homemade)

Fresh Raspberry Frosting
*1 c. fresh raspberries (or thawed from frozen)
*1 c. unsalted butter (room temperature)
*3 c. powdered sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 325 F and line 24 muffin tins with paper liners.

In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar and lime zest with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.  Beat in the vanilla.

In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.  Add to the butter mixture a third at a time, alternating with half the milk and half the lime juice after each of the first 2 additions of flour.  Beat until just combined.

Fill the prepared tins using a standard ice cream scoop and bake for 22-25 minutes.  While cupcakes cool, make frosting.

In the bowl of a food processor, puree the raspberries until smooth.  If you like, press the mixture through a sieve to get rid of the seeds.

In a medium bowl, beat the butter and half the sugar until smooth.  Add the raspberry puree, then more sugar until you have a fluffy, spreadable consistency.  Add a splash of water, too (a tablespoon or two) if it needs it.

After cooling completely, use a melon baller to remove the center of each cupcake.  Fill each center with key lime curd filling.  Frost cupcakes using a piping bag, and finish off with a sprinkle of colored sugar.  Makes 2 dozen cupcakes.

*Just a caveat - I have yet to actually *test* this out, but I have high hopes.

Today is Mother's Day Out...

...and so I ran a few errands.  First to Kroger on Washington Road, the only Kroger I have even darkened the door of since moving to Augusta, and then on to Costco.  Vera was the perfect shopping companion - quiet and smiley.  Jake and Cole?  Not so much...but today they were both 'working' (you know, playing doctor.)

Initially I told Vera it would be a quick trip and proceeded to walk to the produce section as quickly as possible, but something stopped me...beckoned me to abandon my journey to the romaine hearts and, instead, peruse the aisles to my right.  Here was my first victim...


Because who DOESN'T need snapware?  But really, it was on my list...my *mental* list...and there was an additional instant rebate...less than $15 for 38 pieces?  Sold.  Next on my "mental list" was...



Joseph Joseph color-coded index chopping boards...ordinarily $30 for the set, but a mere $9.97 for moi.  When will I EVER find myself cutting raw fish on the light blue board?  Never.  But it looks nice.  On to the next incredibly frivolous purchase...



Why yes, it IS a multipot.  To be fair, I had my eye on the All-Clad rendition (pictured here) which was a mere $200...so spending $30 on this seemed like a steal ;-)  The last interesting purchase from today's Costco run was, in my opinion, a thoroughly awesome bargain...



A J.A. Henckels shears set for $5!!  This typically goes for over $60!

Ahhhhh.  I am hopeless.

Pinterest v. Real Life

After spending entirely too much time pinning countless swimsuit options for Vera, it hit me (again).  Like we can *really* afford to spend $60 on a suit and an additional $50 on a matching cover-up for our nearly 7 month old bundle of joy...ugh.  But I dusted myself off and headed to Target (again), hoping to at *least* find a couple of suitable alternatives in Vera's size (currently 6 months...she's quite small).

Cole and I deliberated for quite some time between a few different swimsuits for Miss Vera, but here is what we collectively chose...

Circo Two Piece Tankini (Blue)

Circo Short-Sleeved Cover Up (Knockout Aqua)

Not quite the haute couture look I was going for, but you can't beat a total price tag of $24.

Gotta go - Pinterest is calling again...but this time it's cupcakes.